Green Thumbs -- Caring for the landscape in May

Thursday

May 17, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 17, 2007 at 5:17 PM

As the month of May progresses, seemingly lifeless perennial gardens are slowly emerging to reveal the treasures planted in years passed. It is truly magical to watch these broad expanses of bare earth fill with foliage and flowers during the spring season. By midsummer the gardens will be overflowing with color with no room to spare and all memories of a difficult winter season are likely to be forgotten.

Suzanne Mahler

Enchanting ribbons of snowy white and deep blue forget-me-nots thread their way through my shady borders amongst showy mounds of sunny yellow primroses, delicate clusters of columbines, and elegant, architectural stands of Solomon’s seal. Hostas are gradually coming to life with giant leaves of gold, green, and blue. Luxurious clumps of old-fashioned bleeding hearts exhibit graceful arching stems bearing necklaces of pink and white heart-shaped blooms against a backdrop of attractive, divided foliage. Feathery ferns are gradually emerging from tightly furled fiddleheads. Despite a difficult winter, the shade gardens are bright and colorful as many charming spring-bloomers display their finery before the overhead canopy casts its summertime shadows.

Each growing season has its joys and disappointments. Although there are innumerable blank spaces as a result of this winter’s dramatic temperature fluctuations and lack of snow cover, many perennials appear more robust than in previous springs when extended periods of cold, soggy weather caused diseases, rot, and retarded growth. While I mourn the loss of some longtime favorites, each bare spot represents an opportunity to insert a new found treasure. Patience is a necessity in the weeks to come, however, as a few of these missing plants are likely to magically reappear and recover from deeper roots and all may not be lost.

I am less optimistic about the fate of many evergreen shrubs. Some woody specimens have gradually improved in appearance with the warmer temperatures, but others have deteriorated significantly. Well-established broad-leafed evergreens may push forth new foliage especially if they are trimmed, fertilized, watered, and mulched, but they may require the entire growing season or more to regain an attractive presentation. Needled evergreens, especially Alberta spruces, may never recover. It may be impossible to accept a large, crispy evergreen in a prominent location. Tough decisions may be called for in the coming weeks.

Spring is an ideal time to plant new trees and shrubs or replace winter casualties. While none of us can predict or control Mother Nature’s fickle weather offerings, proper planting will ensure that our new acquisitions get off to a good start. Be sure to select specimens appropriate to your growing conditions taking into consideration the availability of light, exposure to wind and soil type. Few trees and shrubs thrive in heavy, wet soils. Make observations throughout the day and then consult your local nurseries for suggestions. Once you have made your acquisitions, prepare a hole 2 to 3 times the width of the rootball of the plant but dig it only deep enough to enable you to set the tree or shrub at the same level as it was growing in the pot or burlap. Planting too deeply is often the major cause of failure with new trees and shrubs. Amend poor soils with organic matter including compost and peat moss. Be sure to water deeply several times a week.

As our perennials gradually come to life each spring, so do our weeds and misplaced wildflowers. Our difficult winter weather seems to have done little to deter these trespassers. Pull early and often as these unwanted guests compete for nutrients and moisture no matter what our growing season has to offer. Some weeds are easily extricated with a simple tug, but others are considerably more persistent with taproots or underground runners. Chemicals are not my preferred means of weed prevention but for these intruders, the careful use of an herbicide may be required. Keep in mind that these chemicals are nonselective and cannot recognize a weed from your most desirable, expensive acquisition. In tight spaces or in instances where the weed has infiltrated an established clump, apply the herbicide with a small sponge brush or paint brush. Multiple applications may be necessary for especially noxious, persistent weeds.

Once the gardens have been thoroughly weeded, I usually broadcast a slow-release balanced fertilizer like MNLA Plant-O-Ganic (8-8-8) and then apply a layer of mulch. Summer mulches help soils to retain moisture in addition to keeping soil temperatures more evenly regulated which results in less stress to our plants. Even a thin layer of shredded bark significantly reduces the emergence of weeds and creates an attractive, uniform background that sets plants off beautifully. Apply two inches of bark mulch over the root systems of trees and shrubs but avoid contact with the trunks and branches. Use only an inch or so around perennials. Care should be taken not to bury the crowns of perennials, as this can lead to rot or suffocation of the plants. As the mulch breaks down over the growing season, it provides valuable, moisture-retentive, organic matter to the soil surface that can be worked into the soil early next spring.

As the daylight faded on a glorious Mother’s Day weekend, I reluctantly gathered my tools and began the tedious process of hauling dozens of trays of tender plants back into my garage, heeding the forecast for chilly overnight temperatures. The sweet perfume of luscious lilacs and heavenly daphne permeated the evening air. A momentary glimpse of a hummingbird making its final rounds was a fitting close to a perfect spring day.

Suzanne Mahler is an avid gardener, photographer and lecturer who has been developing the 1.5-acre property surrounding her home in Hanover for more than 30 years. Her weekly gardening column 'Green Thumbs Up' has appeared in Community Newspapers for more than a decade. She is a member of two local garden clubs, past President of the New England Daylily Society, an overseer for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and is employed at two garden centers.